The Cumberland Plateau

by Mary K. Baxley

  As the women examined the jewels, Fitzwilliam directed, “Cecilia, you’re to choose a set from this collection to add to your own family heirlooms.”

  “I’m overwhelmed. I’ve never seen anything like this. David, with everything you’ve given me, it is simply too much,” she said as she turned to her fiancé. “Help me. I don’t know what to choose.”

  David chuckled. “Well, you already have sapphires, so what is your next favorite?”

  “I suppose it would be rubies.”

  “How about this?” he asked, picking up an antique diamond choker with a large oval ruby surrounded by diamonds. “It comes with wedding rings, a bracelet, and earrings to match the necklace. The set dates from the late Regency period. Let me check its value.” Picking up the appraisal volume, David thumbed through the pages until he located the rubies. Running his finger down the page, he glanced up and smiled. “It says here that the ruby is thirty-one carats, and there are over a hundred and ten carats in total diamond weight. It and all that goes with it, is valued at £1,000,000. It’s quite lovely, actually.”

  “Yes, it is lovely, but Elizabeth, wouldn’t you want them?” she asked, turning to her friend.

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened. With a faint smile, she replied, “No, Celia, you take them. I already own a ruby set that Fitzwilliam bought me a few weeks ago, and with the ruby ring, my set is more than complete, so you take those.” Elizabeth picked up a deep red garnet set, looking at it closely. Placing it back, she took a black and white diamond necklace with a large oval white diamond in a circlet of black diamonds and held them to the light. “I’ll take these.” She nodded. “They’re more modern and suit my taste very well. There is nothing more elegant than black and white,” she said, placing the bracelet around her wrist.

  “Well, if you prefer the black diamonds, then I’ll take the rubies,” Cecilia said, turning to David’s brother. “Thank you so much, Fitzwilliam.”

  “Don’t thank me. These are David’s as part of a long-held family tradition. Elizabeth has access to all that’s here, but she has the right to give what she has chosen to whichever of her children she wishes. Mother gave a sapphire set to Georgiana before she died. They’re in a separate box, and Georgiana will also get to choose from among these when she marries.”

  “They are all very lovely,” Cecilia said, placing the jewels she’d chosen in David’s hand.

  “David, if you will sign the registry stating that you’ve taken the rubies and the sapphire ring, it’ll be all taken care of,” Fitzwilliam said.

  While David signed, Cecilia turned to the volumes on the shelf. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to look at these journals. The history lover in me can’t resist.”

  “Be my guest.” Fitzwilliam smiled while returning the boxes and the appraisal book to the safe.

  As Cecilia perused the volumes, she settled upon a tome from the antebellum period which particularly caught her interest. Wondering what the Darcys had experienced in a period of history so pivotal to that of her own, she pulled it from the shelf and thumbed through the contents while the brothers talked. Reading a passage from 1847, something very curious leapt forth from the page. “David, look at this,” she said, handing the book to him.

  He took the book from her hand and read the indicated segment. “Yes, what of it? It’s an account of Edward Jamison Darcy’s wedding to an American,” he said, handing it back with a creased brow.

  “She’s not just any American. She’s Jacynthia Elizabeth Read, the eldest daughter of John W. Read of George Town, South Carolina and Martha Lawton Read of Carlton House. I thought I recognized that picture in the gallery. It was her—the lost Lawton.”

  “How do you know that? It doesn’t state who her parents were.”

  “No, it doesn’t, but I know it just the same. She is the lost daughter of Martha Lawton Read, the only sister of my great grandfather, five generations back. There was a scandal involving her. She was considered a disgrace by our family. Her story is recorded in our family annals. It’s not recorded who she ran away with, but now I have discovered the truth.”

  “Tell us about it,” Fitzwilliam said as they all took seats.

  As they all settled in to hear the story, Cecilia began. “Jacynthia’s mother, Martha Lawton, was born in 1800 and was the only daughter of Francis Lawton of Carlton House. She married into the Read family of George Town in 1816 and had four sons and three daughters. Jacynthia, the eldest of their three daughters, was born in 1828. She was considered the most beautiful belle in Charleston the year of her coming out in 1845. I recall hearing many stories of her raven hair and deep ocean-blue eyes. She was so sought-after that her father used her as a bargaining chip. You see, John wanted, or rather needed, a merger with the Weston family of Savannah, Georgia, and so, when Jacynthia was eighteen, she became engaged to Benton Weston. But legend has it that she fell in love with a young Englishman who came to Charleston to conduct business on behalf of his father.” Cecilia cut her eyes across at David.

  “There was a terrible fight at the St. Cecilia Ball between Weston and the Englishman, and Weston challenged him to a duel. Witnesses said that while they were pacing, Weston turned and shot the Englishman in the back, and when he did, the Englishman’s brothers pivoted sharply and shot Weston dead. The Englishman lived, and when he recovered and was able to travel, Jacynthia eloped with him on a ship bound for Liverpool. She was never heard from again, and her name was never spoken among any of the Reads or Lawtons after that.”

  “Cecilia, that’s terrible. I realize women had no rights back then, but to shun her, well, I think it’s awful. They never even went to the trouble of finding her, did they?”

  “Elizabeth, you have to understand how things were back then. Charlestonians were very strict about their code of honor, and Jacynth—that’s what she was called—had disgraced her family. Feelings ran so deep that her father removed her portraits from the family galley and destroyed all of them, save one, which her mother hid at Carlton House. My father discovered it in the attic along with a few diaries when he became the proprietor. He had the portrait restored to its rightful place of honor. The diaries are published and are in my family library.” Cecilia shrugged. “Lizzy, it’s just the way things were.”

  “Yes, I know.” Elizabeth shook her head. “It also happened in my family, but it’s still not right.”

  “Well, it didn’t matter what was right or wrong. It was simply the way it was.” Cecilia folded her hands in her lap and glanced between David and Fitzwilliam. “But I find it ironic that a Darcy was involved. As I recall from your gallery, Edward was a very handsome man. You Darcy men certainly have a way with poor little ole Southern women.”

  David burst out laughing. “Poor little ole Southern women indeed! Edward nearly lost his life. I would say it’s more the other way around. Poor Darcy men who become lost in a pretty belle’s smile.”

  “Or the victim of Cupid’s arrow,” Elizabeth teased, squeezing her husband’s thigh.

  Fitzwilliam grasped his wife’s hand and laced his fingers with hers. “Cute, Elizabeth, cute.” He grinned, turning to David. “So, Elizabeth’s not the only one with ties into our family. This is quite a coincidence, isn’t it? None of it is recorded in any of our journals, unless they’re in Edward’s. Stephen Darcy has those. He’s descended from that line. All I know is that their love was considered one of the great loves of our family. In fact, Jacynthia is a treasured family name on that branch of the family tree.”

  “That’s true. Stephen’s sister is named Jacynthia Elizabeth,” David responded. “She’s named for her two ancestral grandmothers.”

  “Well,” Cecilia said, “there is one more interesting aspect. If I remember correctly, there was a John Nathaniel Bennet involved, too. He had been Benton Weston’s second in the duel. Bennet was in Charleston attending the Citadel and was secretly courting Jacynthia’s younger sister, Molly Dove, known to us as Cousin Dovie. When her father found out, it was a littl
e bit of a scandal, too, since she was only fifteen. But it was short- lived, and they were later married and settled in Kentucky. That branch of the family operates one of the largest distilleries in America, so you see, my family is tied to Elizabeth’s, too.”

  Fitzwilliam wrinkled his brow. “Elizabeth, are they the ones you told me about from Fugie?”

  “Yes, the very ones. Nat was John Newton’s son and John Bennet’s grandson. His branch of the family is the one that ran the illegal moonshine through the Southeast during the prohibition years.”

  Cecilia grinned and turned to David with a wink. “That makes us all related in one fashion or another, and all with an affinity to live life on the wild side.”

  “Wild side indeed! I’m simply glad the circle has come ‘round to us. It’s now complete,” David said, taking Cecilia’s hand in his as he turned to his brother. “Fitzwilliam, may Cecilia and I have access to this library whilst we’re here? I’d like to explore our history a little more, especially that of the Industrial Revolution and the 19th century.” He glanced at Cecilia. “History has suddenly become an interest of mine. I suppose you could say I’d like to know where I’ve come from so I can know where I’m going.”

  “David, you don’t have to ask. You know that. Here,” Fitzwilliam reached into his pocket, “take the key and come whenever you wish. I’m going to take these original journals to our room where Elizabeth and I can study them. Take whatever you like, but be sure to sign for them so I know where they are.”

  “Thanks. We’ll take good care of everything.”

  Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth left with their set of journals while David and Cecilia lingered.

  ~*~

  Time passed quickly, and Friday was upon them before they knew it. As the guests began to arrive for the dinner party, Elizabeth and Georgiana surveyed their work.

  “Elizabeth, it looks beautiful. The freshly cut flowers were just the right touch for the china, and look how the crystal reflects the color of the peonies! My mother would be so pleased.”

  “The decorations are beautiful, aren’t they? I thought the peonies would be a nice touch, since they match the china pattern and the elegant lace of the tablecloth. I’m going to love the orangery. I can have freshly cut flowers all year round.”

  Georgiana laughed. “Yes, you will, and I’m glad to see it finally being put to use.”

  While they admired their work, Mrs. Reynolds approached. “Mrs. Darcy, the first of the guests has arrived.”

  “Thank you, Dorothy,” Elizabeth said as she turned to her sister-in-law. “Come, Georgiana. Since I am meeting many of them for the first time, I need you with me.”

  As the guests arrived, Georgiana and her brothers greeted each one and made the introductions to Elizabeth and Cecilia. They all mingled in the drawing room to talk and become acquainted until they were called to dinner. When everyone had found their seats, Fitzwilliam rose to begin the dinner with a toast to the guests of honor.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention. As we are all gathered together here tonight, I wish to announce the engagement of my brother, David Jamison, to Miss Cecilia Lawton of Charleston, South Carolina. May they find as much happiness in the married state as my wife and I have found,” he said, tipping his head to David. “God bless you, Brother.” He lifted his glass. “To David and Cecilia.”

  Everyone did likewise, repeating the toast in unison. After dinner, the gentlemen separated from the ladies for brandy and cigars while the ladies congregated around Cecilia, taking the time to become genuinely acquainted with the woman who had captured the heart of the man they all thought would never marry.

  ~*~

  Harvey Darcy had been watching his nephews from the distance with a contented smile. He couldn’t help from thinking how much they both had grown and come into their own over the past few years, especially David. He chuckled softly as he saw his nephews approaching.

  “Pleasant evening, isn’t it?” Fitzwilliam said as he lit his cigar.

  “Umm, yes, indeed it is,” Harvey answered before turning to David. “Let me congratulate you on finally finding a suitable woman whom I believe you are truly worthy of.”

  “I caught that, Uncle,” David said, taking a puff of his cigar, “but yes, you are right. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

  “Boys, you’ve handled your responsibilities well and have managed to have time for a life, too. You are to be congratulated. I only wished my brother could be here to see it.”

  “I’d like to think he, and Mother, too, can see us. For some strange reason, I’ve never felt alone. I’ve felt their presence as if they are with me. I think they are proud of us,” Fitzwilliam said, turning to David with a warm smile.

  “I’m very proud of the both of you, too,” Harvey said. “You’ve done your duty, been true to yourselves, and kept the family honor. That’s all any father could ask, and I knew my brother well enough to know it’s all he would ask. Wherever he is tonight, he is proud of you.”

  At about that moment there was a rustling sound in the trees as a warm and gentle breeze swept by. Fitzwilliam glanced up into the evening sky, catching a glimpse of two white doves fluttering away from the lone Spanish oak that towered over the courtyard. He shook his head and smiled. “Good night, Mum and Dad.”

  Finishing their cigars, they walked inside to join the others.

  Chapter Seventy-six

  …a white dove perched on a low-hanging branch with a sprig of pink almond in its beak…

  Cecilia walked into her bedroom and closed the door as she leaned back against it. The wedding announcement was posted, the church had been decorated, and preparations were underway for the reception in the Lawton Hotel Dining Hall. Mr. Lee of the King Street Tailor Shop and Ella Sinclair, her personal seamstress, were to be commended for creating two well-stitched sets of wedding clothes in record time. With all of the planning behind her, she released a weary breath. How she and David had managed to get through the last two weeks with some semblance of sanity still left was beyond her.

  The British press had swarmed through Charleston like a cloud of bees, and at first, Cecilia questioned if they would ever be free from the media’s scrutiny, but of course, she knew ultimately they would.

  Pushing away from the door, she walked to her closet and rummaged through her wardrobe, choosing a strapless sundress for the evening. Satisfied, she crossed the room to her vanity and took a seat and stared at her reflection as she propped her head in the palms of her hands. Tomorrow would be her wedding day, the happiest day in her life. She would become Mrs. David Darcy. A giggle escaped her throat.

  Casting a glance at her wedding gown hanging on the dress-form, Cecilia smiled. Ella had created the most beautiful dress she had ever seen—not ornate, but a simple, elegant, halter style, gently flaring from the waist and continuing to the floor with a slight train.

  Reaching over, she picked up her white bonnet and brushed her fingers over the mixture of various shades of blue silk flowers. It had once been her grandmother’s, but Ella’s alterations had made it Cecilia’s own. Hearing soft footsteps alerting her to someone’s presence, Cecilia turned and smiled as she rose to open the door just as she heard the knock.

  “Lizzy! You caught me.”

  Walking into the room, Elizabeth beamed. “You look beautiful. Happiness becomes you, and your dress and bonnet are gorgeous—just like you. Tana showed me the bouquet she designed. She did a beautiful job. The blue and white roses coupled with baby’s breath blends so well with your dress and bonnet.”

  “Yes, it’s lovely and… I’m…oh, Lizzy, I’m so happy.” Cecilia smiled, tears filling her eyes.

  Elizabeth closed the few steps between them and embraced her childhood friend. “No one deserves happiness more than you do, Celia. Jane and I have always said so.” Elizabeth spoke softly, “We knew it would take a very special man to capture your heart. David is very fortunate, and according to my husband, he knows it
.”

  “He and I are both fortunate, not only to have found each other but to have had the good sense to put our pride aside and forgive each other. We’re so proud and stubborn, but we’re equally determined to make a happy home. It’s going to be one interesting marriage as we learn how to become one.”

  “Indeed it is, and when children come along, it will be even more interesting.” Elizabeth grinned. “I can’t wait to see the two of you with children. They will be spirited and beautiful.”

  “Well, that may not be too long in coming. We’ve decided not to wait. I came off the pill when we got back together,” Cecilia sheepishly replied. “I always envied the happiness I saw in your family when we were growing up, so don’t be surprised if I have several children. You have no idea how lonely it was being an only child.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Celia, I had no idea you felt that way. I always thought you looked upon children as a duty to your family lineage. How does David feel about all of this?”

  “You might be surprised, but he doesn’t care one way or the other. Of course he wants children, but he says it’s up to me to decide how large our family becomes. As to how I feel about children—well, that changed when I fell in love. I never wanted children at all. Oh, I knew I needed to have them, but as far as really desiring them, I didn’t… not until David.”

  Giving her friend another squeeze, Elizabeth said, “I’m so proud of you both. Now, come along. Jane, Kat, and Mary Beth are waiting in the sitting room. Amanda, Georgiana, and Rhonda are there, too. Oh, and I have something to tell you.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “Amanda and William recently became engaged, so there’ll be another wedding soon. She’s three months pregnant, but don’t say anything unless she mentions it. It’s supposed to be a secret.” Elizabeth grinned.